North Star Ranch Starts Construction on Boathouse

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ANN ARBOR — North Star Reach, a camp for children with serious health challenges and their families is under construction and building its first building — the boathouse.

Surrounded by mature trees and nestled near the water’s edge, the boathouse will hold the tools and toys that will make summer camp unforgettable for thousands of area kids.

By using a crowdfunding site, Indiegogo.com, North Star Reach hopes to increase awareness about the camp and also raise $50,000 so that the camp’s first structure can be completed by the end of this year. Mike Morse, of the Mike Morse Law Firm, and a board member for North Star Reach, has provided a $25,000 matching gift to help reach the goal. There is also an opportunity to name watercrafts at camp as part of the campaign. The fundraising effort will go through Dec. 15.

“We are very thankful that so many community members have gotten involved and have generously donated to our capital campaign,” says Deb Kern, North Star Reach Annual Giving Coordinator. “We believe this unique campaign will allow everyone to get involved, at many levels, and join us in watching the campaign’s progress online.”

Last summer, North Star Reach, a provisional member of SeriousFun Children’s Network, broke ground in Pinckney.  All children that attend camp will go for free. An on-site medical facility and health professionals will provide care so that parents can, in many cases for the first time, feel comfortable allowing their child to attend a week long camp.

“Our camp will serve close to 1,500 children from around the Great Lakes Region,” said Doug Armstrong, founder and CEO of North Star Reach. “We are very excited to see our vision start to take shape, and we know that it is only possible because of our generous supporters.”

For more information on North Star Reach and the “Build the Boathouse” campaign, visit northstarreach.org.